This K-Drama Overtook 'Weak Hero Class 2' to Become No.1 in Korea

2025-04-29 16:56

Korean drama 'Resident Playbook' tops TV-OTT buzz rankings for two weeks, beating Netflix's 'Weak Hero Class 2' and 'When Life Gives You Tangerines.'

tvN’s weekend drama Resident Playbook (Korean title: '언젠가는 슬기로울 전공의생활') has officially claimed the No.1 spot for two consecutive weeks in the TV-OTT drama buzz rankings, even beating Netflix’s highly anticipated Weak Hero Class 2.

tvN's Resident Playbook Scene Still. / Courtesy of tvN DRAMA

According to Good Data Corporation’s FUNdex report for the fourth week of April (April 21–27), Resident Playbook ranked No.1 in overall TV-OTT drama buzz. After debuting at No.3 during its first broadcast week, Resident Playbook climbed to No.1 in its second week and has firmly maintained its lead into the third week.

A spin-off of the hit series Hospital Playlist, Resident Playbook follows the growth of young residents as they dream of leading skillful medical careers. The drama, which premiered on April 12, stars Go Youn-jung, Shin Si-ah, Kang You-seok, Han Ye-ji, and Jung Joon-won.

The show’s buzz is also lifting the popularity of its cast. In the individual drama cast rankings, Go Youn-jung topped the chart for the second consecutive week. Playing Oh Yi-young, she charms audiences with her clumsy yet earnest journey through hospital life, delivering both laughs and heartfelt moments.

Jung Joon-won, who portrays Goo Do-won — Oh Yi-young’s crush — ranked second among buzzworthy drama actors, adding excitement to the show’s love-line plot.

In the TV-OTT drama rankings:

Resident Playbook secured 1st place, Weak Hero Class 2 landed in 2nd, When Life Gives You Tangerines came 3rd, Military Prosecutor Doberman 3 ranked 4th, and Heavenly Ever After placed 5th.

Meanwhile, the 6th episode of Resident Playbook, aired on April 27, showcased significant character growth.

Resident Playbook Still Cut. / Courtesy of tvN

Uhm Jae-il (played by Kang You-seok) embraced senior Goo Do-won’s advice and voluntarily observed ultrasound procedures, showcasing a major transformation from his earlier self. Despite exhaustion, he immediately responded to an emergency call, impressing with his new-found passion.

In a particularly emotional scene, Jae-il independently spotted a rare emergency signal in a pregnant patient, surprising even the senior professors. His growth was underscored by Jang Hong-do’s (Bae Hyun-sung) line,

"It doesn’t matter if you’re last now — you just have to leave here as No.1."

Elsewhere, tension and laughter unfolded between Pyo Nam-kyung (Shin Si-ah) and Kim Sa-bi (Han Ye-ji) as their clashing personalities led to conflicts and eventual reconciliation outside a convenience store.

Meanwhile, Oh Yi-young witnessed Goo Do-won being robbed of credit for his research by fellow doctor Myung Eun-won (Kim Hye-in). Refusing to stay silent, Yi-young confronted Myung Eun-won and demanded an apology, restoring Goo Do-won’s confidence.

As Oh Yi-young’s impulsive but sincere actions continue to drive the plot, viewers are curious about the repercussions her boldness might bring.

Resident Playbook airs every Saturday and Sunday at 9:20 PM KST on tvN.